Exceedingly good cakes! (From South Wales Guardian)

Exceedingly good cakes!

10:01am Wednesday 24th March 2010

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A DELIVERY driver who crossed a Towy Valley level crossing with a train approaching was more concerned about the cakes he was carrying in his van than his own personal safety, Ammanford magistrates heard.

Although the Llangadog crossing’s red lights were flashing, Ricky Howells decided to put his foot down rather than wait for the train to pass, the bench was told.

Howells, whose actions were captured on CCTV, explained in a letter that he felt his load of cakes in the back of van would be damaged if he hit the brakes.

“I took a stupid and dangerous risk and I now know I should have stopped much sooner,” he added.

Prosecutor Gerald Neave said the defendant’s van had crossed the line after warning lights had been flashing for 17 seconds.

Howells, aged 24, of Gwynfaen Fram, Gwynfe Road, Loughor, was fined £35 and had his licence endorsed with three penalty points after pleading guilty to failing to comply with a stop sign.

He was also ordered to pay £60 costs and a £15 victims’ surcharge.

In a letter to magistrates, Howells said he had his brother were struggling to maintain the family business following the death of their father.

“I pass this location every day to deliver to a shop in Llangadog,” he said.

“As I had a delicate load of around £200 worth of cakes in the back I decided to go through rather than brake, damage the entire stock and possibly end up losing a valuable customer.

“I am extremely ashamed and can only apologise for my error and stupidity.”

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